Trump Eyes Turkey F-35 Return Despite Israel, Congress
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- Trump signaled at his meeting with Erdoğan in Ankara that he's leaning toward allowing Turkey back into the F-35 program, calling Turkey "much more loyal than other countries" and citing its refusal to join the war with Iran.
- Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russia's S-400 air defense system, which U.S. officials said could compromise the advanced fighter jet — a legal obstacle that has not been resolved.
- VP Vance said last week the Pentagon is conducting a review to determine how the U.S. could sell F-35s to Turkey despite its possession of the S-400s, noting "certain things" must be certified to comply with American law.
- Netanyahu complained to Trump on Friday about Erdoğan's escalating anti-Israel rhetoric and asked him to refrain from selling weapons systems that would help Turkey modernize its air force, especially the F-35s.
- 18 lawmakers led by Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) sent a letter Tuesday to House Majority Leader Scalise and Minority Leader Jeffries calling for a block on any F-35 sale to Turkey as long as it holds the S-400s, claiming it would violate U.S. law and sanctions.
- Erdoğan said the F-35s were promised to Turkey in the past and stressed he thinks the issue will move in a positive direction during his summit with Trump; if approved, Turkey would be the first country in the region to be part of the F-35 development and production program.
Why it matters: Re-admitting Turkey to the F-35 program would make it the first regional partner in the jet's development and production — a direct challenge to Israel's qualitative military edge, which U.S. law commits Washington to preserving. The move faces bipartisan congressional resistance (18 lawmakers, led by Rep. Titus) and a binding legal certification requirement tied to Turkey's S-400s, meaning Trump's public leaning is not yet a deal.
